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Houston Rockets: Playing buy or sell with 2019 free agents

By Suraj Sukumar

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 25 : Kenneth Faried #35 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on February 25, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 25 : Kenneth Faried #35 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on February 25, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images
Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images /

Kenneth Faried

Kenneth Faried looked like he was on the decline prior to this season. In 2017-18, Faried played the least amount of minutes in his career with the Denver Nuggets and his numbers reflected that with averages 5.9 points with 4.8 rebounds per game.

Faried started this season with the Brooklyn Nets. Things were not much better. In 12 games as a rotational player, Faried averaged 5.1 points with 3.7 rebounds while averaging just 9.1 minutes per game. Change looked imminent for the athletic forward and the Houston Rockets came knocking.

After joining the Rockets, Faried looked like his old self. He started 13 of the of his 25 games in Houston and averaged 24.4 minutes. Faried averaged 12.9 points with 8.2 rebounds per game, totals that looked like his prime years in Denver.

The only real knock on his play would be the injuries and his performance in the playoffs, but in fairness, the Rockets were only playing him 9.3 minutes per game in the postseason.

The Rockets have great shooters but are in need of reliable depth at the forward and center positions. Faried provides exactly that and should be a great compliment to a player like Capela. Athletic and experienced big men are hard to come by in terms of talent, and Faried’s performance last season should garner him another opportunity to perform with the Rockets. If the Rockets are smart, they’ll keep his services in Houston.

Verdict: Buy

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